#onmission 001

It should stand to reason that understanding our purpose for existence is fundamental to self-awareness, function, and pursuits in life. For example, if we are here upon this earth for the express purpose of pleasing Winnie the Pooh, then these are the questions I should be asking:

Self-awareness: Am I aware if I am making or providing honey or am I aware that I am NOT making or providing honey?

Function: Are my body and mind functioning in a way that honey is being made or provided?

Pursuits: Am I making decisions and going in a direction that will lead to making providing more honey?

The purpose of pleasing Winnie the Pooh may actually be more possible if I were a bee. Why? Because bees make honey. In one sense, we can look at bees and say that they exist for the purpose of supplying nourishment to the world in many ways. They supply nourishment to plants through pollination. Bees supply nourishment through their impact on the food chain in various ways. Bees provide nourishment through actually making good. You could even say that bees provide nourishment intellectually and socially because they are an example of hard workers (i.e. working like a busy bee). Making honey is only one way in which they fulfill the purpose for which they exist — that of supplying nourishment.

Thesis:

This example of a bee is simply to help us further think about, “Why am I on this earth?” Before we can effectively talk about our mission, we must be really clear about our ultimate purpose.

Good intentions are not a good starting point

In this first point, I would like for us to consider some one statement that we have made and have heard. This statement is not to question the intentions of those who make this statement, and it is a statement that I have made. But, if we are going to be precise about our purpose, then we should be clear on purpose statements that may lead us away from our ultimate purpose for existence on this earth. This is one sampling of several.

“It is all about soul-winning.”

Is the Christian’s ultimate purpose “all about soul-winning”? Should it be? Here are some potential problems with this statement:

Theologically, there could be an assumption that we can control the winning of souls.

Practically, this statement could lead to means/methods which manipulate outcomes.

Socially, it could cause us to consider that anything that is not soul winning is not worth doing — things like developing a deeper relationship with spouse, children, other Christians.

Personally, it could lead to a conscience-complex that is created by realizing that we may not be living according to this ultimate purpose all of the time.

Though the statement above is well-intentioned, it may have dire consequences — not least of which include the fact that we might find ourselves in contradiction to the Word of God. While the Word of God does speak about preaching the gospel and making disciples, this does not mean we should see these activities as our ultimate purpose for existence.

If the ultimate purpose of Christian existence is not soul-winning, then how should we consider purpose? In response, I suggest that we must consider purpose through four lenses.

Scripturally

Confessionally

Ecclesiastically

Constitutionally

Consideration of our purpose through these four lenses should allow us to better understand ultimate purpose.

Body:

(1) Our purpose scripturally - Ephesians 1:1-14

In the book of Ephesians Paul is speaking to a body of Christians. In the opening of this letter, he identifies the work of God in a Trinitarian way. Notice carefully the repeated phrase, To the praise of .... his glory...” (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14). Each usage of the phrase follows a particular Person of the Godhead. Predestination to adoption by the Father, redemption through the blood of the Son, and sealed position by the Spirit are all mentioned for the ultimate end — to the praise of God’s glory.

(i) this presupposes that mankind was not to the praise of God glory. (why?)

(ii) this points to God as the only One who could do and had done what is necessary to accomplish this.

(iii) this truth is inscripturated as the perpetual speech of the Spirit regarding our purpose

Scripturally, the Christian’s purpose is to be to the praise of the glory of God.

(2) Our purpose confessionally - Ephesians 4:4-6

The word confession can be used in two significant ways in our church family. First, some use the word confession as a word to explain asking forgiveness of sins. We see this kind of usage in I John 1:9. Another way that this word may be used is in a way in which there is a verbal declaration that is affirming a deeply held conviction. This kind of usage is found in a passage such as Romans 10:9-10. It is this latter sense which I referencing now.

Early church confessions are recorded in the Bible. For example, I Corinthians 15:3-4 is considered an early church creed. Also, Ephesians 4:4-6 is considered by many to be an early church creed that as recited when a new convert was baptized. [https://www.ligonier.org/blog/creeds-confessions-biblical-beneficial/]. These creeds are confessions typically express core beliefs in summarized ways for meditation, memorization, and recitation.

When we consider our purpose for existence confessionally, typically the question is phrased like this: “What is the chief end of man?” The response sounds something like this, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever” or “God created us male and female in his own image to glory him.” [New City Catechism, Part 1, Q4]

Confessionally, we must agree with the scripture that our chief end is to be to the praise God’s glory.

(3) Our purpose ecclesiastically

The word ecclesia is the word for church in the scriptures. Consequently, when you speak of ecclesiology, we are speaking of the doctrine of the church. So, when we consider our purpose, is there a change when we consider it ecclesiastically? Should we consider our purpose individually as different from our purpose ecclesiastically (corporately)?

The answer to this latter question can be answer just by considering the historical context of Ephesians 1:3-14. The historical context of this passage is that Paul is writing to a body of believers in Ephesus (see Ephesians 1:1-2). In other words, the primary application of this letter is that of living life within a local church context. Paul is saying to the local body of believers - “that you [all] should be to the praise of the glory of his grace”. The development of this thought is better understood when you read Ephesians 4 and see how all of the parts of the body work together, but it is safe to say that one cannot effectively fulfill the purpose of Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14 apart from a body of saints.

Ecclesiastically, the purpose is to be to the praise of God’s glory together.

(4) Our purpose constitutionally

Church constitutions are in place as documents that outline core tenets of the church’s belief, and they do serve as legal, written documentation should a church have to go to court for any reason. While our current constitution does not list an ultimate purpose for an individual, it does clearly list the purpose of the church.

The GBC constitution states:

The purpose of the church is to glorify the Lord through unified, loving obedience to God’s Word.

As the opening part of this statement makes church, ultimate purpose is God’s glory. Thus, whether we look at ultimate purpose for our existence scripturally, confessionally, ecclesiastically, or constitutionally, we come to the same conclusion. We exist for God’s glory. Thus, soul winning is not what our existence is all about. Soul winning us only a part of why we exist.

Conclusion:

Why all the fuss about ultimate purpose? If our purpose is to glorify God, then consider that being #onmission requires:

(1) Theological richness - an ever-deepening understanding of God, his nature and attributes

(2) Practical carefulness - practices that a rooted in sound Theology

(3) Social comprehensiveness - an all-encompassing view of purpose that sanctifies our whole life/relationships

(4) Personal awareness - a conscience that is founded upon scripturally-founded purpose/practices

Being #onmission must not begin with a mission briefing. Rather, we must begin with ultimate purpose. The ultimate purpose for our existence will help us to understand the role of mission within our lives or rather our lives within His mission.

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